Paul Simpson wants Carlisle United to score in the region of 20 goals from set-pieces in the new season.

Simpson says such a tally would go a long way to helping the Blues have a successful season.

United hope to have increased their set-piece threat this summer having struggled from dead-ball situations – attacking and defending – in 2023/24’s League One relegation campaign.

Against Stockport County in Saturday’s 2-1 pre-season victory, Carlisle looked dangerous from a number of corners and free-kicks, with wing-backs Cameron Harper and Archie Davies providing some good deliveries.

United then scored from a Ben Barclay long throw as they applied further pressure on the Stockport box.

“We should have scored from a set play. That was the disappointment from our set plays [on Saturday],” Simpson said.

“I thought Archie and Cameron both put some great balls in the box.

The return of Aaron Hayden has added to Carlisle's aerial threatThe return of Aaron Hayden has added to Carlisle's aerial threat (Image: Barbara Abbott)

“With the players who we've got, we've got some big lads who can get on the end of it – and set plays are massively important.

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“I'd love to score 60 goals a season in terms of playing free-flowing football but if we can also get 15-20 goals from set plays that will go a long way to helping us be successful.”

United appear to have more stature when attacking set-pieces with the arrival of big defenders such as Terell Thomas and Aaron Hayden.

Those players add to the attacking aerial threat Simpson will hope to get from frontmen like Charlie Wyke and Georgie Kelly.